Page 90 of Risk It All
“He’s been spending too much time with Louise,” I mumbled with a laugh to Leo, who nodded in agreement.
“I’ll see you out there in a bit.” He gave my hip a squeeze before returning to work at the same time Wes came in to grab the four plates of food Leo had just set out. He blinked as he looked around, likely wondering why I was just standing around.
I gave him a bright smile. “I’m here to help you run food, boss.” I grabbed two of the plates. “What’re you standing around for?”
“Uh-huh,” he drawled, grabbing the other two plates and tipping his head toward the swinging door. “Lead the way. And I don’t think you’ve ever called me boss. Makes me think you’re up to something.”
I glanced at him over my shoulder. “Oh, I’m always up to something.”
“Ain’t that the truth.”
When I returned to the bar, Celine and I chatted some more while I moved behind the bar to refill drinks and take orders, dividing my time between ensuring everyone on my side was taken care of but also using the time to catch up with Celine. She told me more about her house, how Colin and Leo were helping out, and what she was up to next. She was a fewyears away from retiring as a teacher, and she was planning to use her free time to participate in the local master gardeners program, a volunteer program that was open to anyone who wanted to learn more about landscape and gardening practices and then share the research-based information with the community.
“Your next househasto have space for a garden then, right?” I asked.
“Oh, of course.” Celine nodded, her eyes sparkling. “That’s among my main priorities. I love my current house, and there’s so many memories there, but I’m ready for less space. It was my dream house while the boys were younger, but now I want something that’s right for me. A garden. A walk-in closet. A kitchen with an abundance of natural light.”
“Have you been looking for places in Maple Bluffs?”
“I have,” Celine answered. “But I’m also open to moving. I’d like to stay close, because I love this area, but I’m ready for something new.” She paused, fiddling with the edge of a paper napkin that’d gotten wet from condensation. “Maybe even go on a date or two.” A youthfulness came over Celine’s expression when she’d mentioned dating, and I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips. Celine had given everything while she was raising Leo and Colin, and it pulled at my heart that she was putting herself first and open to new experiences.
“Celine, you’re a catch. I can’t wait to hear about all that you’re up to. You’ll have to keep me posted on how your garden turns out.”
She matched my grin with one of her own.
“One order of fish tacos,” Leo said as he came up behind Celine, setting the plate down in front of her, his tattooed forearm flexing with the motion. “What were you two talking about?”
Celine’s lip twitched. “Just some girl talk.”
Leo’s eyes narrowed playfully as he looked between me and his mom. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
Celine and I grinned, and I placed a few extra napkins in front of her. I gave her and Leo some privacy for their conversation, using the time to refill drinks and chat with customers, offering them recommendations on things to do while they’re in town. Even with how busy Lake Ridge was and the slightly longer wait time than normal, everyone was in a good mood—hard not to be when you were in a beautiful town on a three-day weekend. But it wasn’t just them who was in a good mood—I was, too. Working on the days most people had off sometimes had me a little grumpy, but that was the service industry. Tonight, though, I didn’t feel any of that. I was just glad to be here, feeding off the positive energy. I’d get my day off next week when Wes closed the bar.
My eyes flicked to Leo, and as if he sensed me, his gaze met mine almost instantly.
Maybe there was something else to my good mood, too.
By the end of the night, my hair was in a messy ponytail, my feet ached, and my eyes were barely open as the adrenaline wore off. But my good mood hadn’t wavered, although I was more than eager to be home.
I was finishing the last of the silverware rollups while Louise cleaned up the bar. She was cleaning both our stations while I did both rounds of our rollups. We’d switch tomorrow when we did this all over again.
“You did good today, hon,” Louise complimented, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “You poured those drinks like you own the place. Soon enough you’ll be come after my self-proclaimed title as best bartender in the state.” She winked.
I grinned at her, knowing damn well there was no way that was happening, and her title wasn’tself-proclaimed. It was simply true. “Thanks, Louise. We make a pretty good team. I’m glad I get to do this with you.”
“Oh, stop it.” She swatted my arm. “Gonna get me all choked up.” Louise wasn’t one to get sentimental, but I had a feeling she had a soft spot for me—the feeling was mutual.
Her eyes flicked back to the kitchen, and I swore her expression softened before she went back to wiping down the counter.
“Okay,” I said, setting the fork and knife onto a black napkin before turning to her. “What was that look?”
I thought back to when Leo had asked if there’d been something going on between Louise and Ray. At first, I thought there was no way he’d been right. But now? I noticed too many longing looks tonight and secret smiles—ones that I likely missed earlier.
“What look?” Louise asked innocently, her heart-shaped earrings bobbing with each step as she moved around the bar, placing lids on each of our drink garnish containers.
“Youknowwhat look I’m talking about. You’ve had it on your face all day.”
“That, hon, is simply my gorgeous face.”
